Vinay Chawla is the U.S. Department of State’s Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) in the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs. He leads CBA in advocating for U.S. companies abroad, expanding American exports, and mobilizing investment in support of U.S. economic and foreign policy priorities. His career combines private investment experience with senior government assignments in the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia.

Chawla most recently served as Office Director and Counselor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Peace Missions, supporting diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts across the Middle East, Caucasus, and Central Asia. In that role, he worked with sovereign wealth funds, multilateral development institutions, and global investors to build Eurasia economic connectivity and to open markets for American exports and services.

He previously served as Director for Energy Infrastructure and Investment at the National Security Council and as Senior Advisor for Afghanistan Reconciliation, where he helped negotiate the agreement ending the war in Afghanistan and secure the release of an American hostage held for more than three years. His overseas assignments include senior economic positions in Iraq, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. Chawla brings more than two decades of experience across government and the private sector, including senior roles in private equity, venture capital, and fintech product development. He began his career in strategy and technology consulting at a leading global professional services firm. Chawla holds a B.A. with honors in Political Science from Northwestern University. He speaks Hindi, Urdu, Dari, and Farsi. He is married and has two children.